At the Shades of Motherhood Network, we carry more than programs and peer support – we carry stories. We carry the weight of history, the tenderness of healing and the power of legacy. This month, we traveled to the Whitney Plantation in Louisiana, a site unlike any other in America. The Whitney is not a plantation tour about grand houses and wealthy families – it is a memorial dedicated to the lives of the enslaved, with a focus on their humanity, struggles and their enduring spirits.
Ann and Her Son
Among the stories that touched us most was that of Ann and her son – a mother forced to endure the unthinkable. Ann’s enslaver sold her child, tearing him from her arms. Despite her pleas, her cries were ignored. Her child was taken from her, lost to the brutal economy of slavery. The grief of Ann is a grief carried by countless Black mothers through generations – whether by the auction block, systemic racism in healthcare, or violence in our streets.
Ann’s story is a mirror reflecting not just historical trauma but also the unyielding love of Black motherhood. Her legacy is a call to action for us: to fight for maternal justice, to protect Black families, and to ensure no mother is left to suffer in silence.
The Angel Holding the Child: A Symbol of Remembrance
As we walked the grounds of the Whitney Plantation, we came upon a statue that stopped us in our tracks: an angel gently cradling a Black child in her arms. This sculpture is not just art – it is sacred. It represents the thousands of enslaved children who died before they ever had a chance to live freely. Many of their names are etched into the walls of the memorial, a haunting and beautiful reminder that their lives mattered.
For us, the angel holding the child is a symbol of collective grief and love. It represents all the children lost – whether by slavery, by systemic neglect, or by the maternal health crisis that continues to disproportionately impact Black families today. But it also represents care, transcendence, and ancestral protection. The angel says to us: We are still watching over you. We are still holding you.
Why This Story Matters Today
Visiting the Whitney Plantation reinforced our belief that healing work is legacy work. We cannot change the past, but we can honor it. We can stop the cycle of erasure and begin a new chapter – one rooted in truth, justice, and compassion.
When we remember Ann, her son, and the angel holding the child, we are reminded:
- Motherhood is sacred, even in oppression.
- Despite the systems that sought to destroy it, the bond between mother and child cannot be erased.
- Grief is generational, but so is healing.
- By acknowledging the pain, we make room for restoration and joy.
- Legacy is our responsibility.
It is our duty to carry stories forward, to protect the next generation, and to ensure no mother’s love is ever disregarded again.
Carrying Legacy Forward
Our visit to the Whitney Plantation is not just about the past – it’s about building the future. At the Shades of Motherhood Network, we are committed to rewriting the narrative of Black motherhood. We are creating spaces of safety, joy and power for Black mothers and families to thrive.
We walked those grounds with heavy hearts but open hands, ready to carry the stories of Ann, her son, and all the children embraced by the angel. Their legacy lives in every doula we train, every mother we support, and every community we empower.